Rfid Applicator Roller Having Ic Relief And Rfid Applicator Incorporating Same

ABSTRACT

A roller ( 300 ) for a radio frequency identification (RFID) label ( 102 ) applicator ( 100 ) and an RFID label applicator including the same. The roller includes an IC relief ( 328 ) for avoiding application of undue stress to the ICs of RFID labels carried on a web of material to items to which the labels are to be affixed.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to radio frequency identification (RFID) labelapplicators, and more particularly, to an RFID applicator roller havingan IC relief and an RFID applicator incorporating the same.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Radio frequency identification (RFID) systems are generally known andmay be used for a number of applications such as managing inventory,electronic access control, security systems, automatic identification ofcars on toll roads, and electronic article surveillance (EAS). RFIDdevices may be used to track or monitor the location and/or status ofarticles or items to which the RFID devices are applied. A RFID systemtypically includes a RFID reader and a RFID device such as a tag orlabel. The RFID reader may transmit a radio-frequency carrier signal tothe RFID device. The RFID device may respond to the carrier signal witha data signal encoded with information stored on the RFID device. RFIDdevices may store information such as a unique identifier or ElectronicProduct Code (EPC) associated with an article or item.

RFID devices may be programmed (e.g., with the appropriate EPC) andapplied to the article or item that is being tracked or monitored. ARFID reader/programmer may be used to program RFID devices and to detectdefective RFID devices. Label applicators have been used to applyprogrammed RFID labels to items or articles.

Existing RFID applicators, however, can place excessive stress on theRFID labels as they are transferred through the applicator to the itemsto which they are to be attached. Generally, the RFID labels may beprovided on a web of material wound around a feed roller. The web isdrawn from the feed roller and directed by a series of driven and/oridler rollers to the RFD reader/programmer and, ultimately, to thelocation where the labels are removed from the web and applied toassociated items. As the labels pass over/under the rollers, they areforced against and around the cylindrical exterior surface of theroller, causing stress and bending moments on the integrated circuit(IC) and antenna of the labels. In some cases, such stress can overcomethe bond strength between the IC and the antenna, thereby damaging oneor more of the RFID labels.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to an RFID applicator roller having an IC reliefand an RFID applicator incorporating the same. Embodiments of theinvention may include a radio frequency identification (RFID) labelapplicator having a web feeding mechanism for supplying a web ofmaterial carrying a plurality of RFID labels toward items to which theRFID labels are to be applied, the web feeding mechanism having at leastone roller for directing the web of material toward the items, the atleast one roller having a body having first and second end portions anda relief portion disposed between the first and second end portions, therelief portion having a smaller cross-sectional area than each of theend portions to define a relief area between the first and second endportions, the relief area being positioned for alignment with anintegrated circuit (IC) associated with each of the RFID labels

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The subject matter regarded as the embodiments is particularly pointedout and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of thespecification. The embodiments, however, both as to organization andmethod of operation, together with objects, features, and advantagesthereof, may best be understood by reference to the following detaileddescription when read with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of a RFID applicator consistent with oneembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of one embodiment of a RFID labelthat can be used in the RFID applicator consistent with one embodimentof the invention.

FIG. 3 is a side view of one exemplary embodiment of a RFID applicatorroller consistent with the invention.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the roller of FIG. 3 showing an IC of a RFIDlabel on a web of material aligned with a relief area of the roller.

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of another exemplary embodiment of a RFIDapplicator roller consistent with the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Numerous specific details may be set forth herein to provide a thoroughunderstanding of the embodiments of the disclosure. It will beunderstood by those skilled in the art, however, that variousembodiments of the disclosure may be practiced without these specificdetails. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, componentsand circuits have not been described in detail so as not to obscure thevarious embodiments of the disclosure. It can be appreciated that thespecific structural and functional details disclosed herein arerepresentative and do not necessarily limit the scope of the disclosure.

It is worthy to note that any reference in the specification to “oneembodiment” or “an embodiment” according to the present disclosure meansthat a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described inconnection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment.The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places inthe specification are not necessarily all referring to the sameembodiment.

Referring to FIG. 1, radio frequency identification (RFID) labelapplicator 100, consistent with embodiments of the invention, may beused to apply RFID labels 102 to articles or items 104. The RFID labelapplicator 100 may also be used to program RFID labels 102, to detectdefective RFID labels, and to reject the defective labels such that thedefective labels are not applied to the items 104. The articles or items104 may be products, merchandise, or any other items or articles thatmay be monitored using RFID techniques.

The RFID labels 102 may be removably secured to a backing material orweb 110 such that the RFID labels 102 are supported on the web 110during programming and may be removed (e.g., peeled away from the web110) for application. The web 110 supporting the labels 102 may berolled onto a roll 112, which is unwound to allow the web 110 to passthrough the label applicator 100. After the REID labels 102 are removedor rejected, scrap web 110 a may be rewound onto a rewind roll 114.

One embodiment of the RFID label applicator 100 may include a webfeeding mechanism 120 to feed the web 110, a RFID programming system 130to program the RFID labels 102, a peeler member 140 to peel the RFIDlabels 102 from the web 110, a label tamp assembly 150 to apply the RFIDlabels 102 to the items 104, and a label reject assembly 160 to rejectRFID labels. The RFID) label applicator 100 may also include anapplicator controller 170 to control operation of the RFID labelapplicator 100. The articles or items 104 may be arranged in a line(e.g., a product line) and may be moved, for example, using a conveyor180 or other similar mechanism. Components in the applicator 100 may bemounted or secured to an applicator frame 108.

The RFID label applicator 100 may also include other components notshown in FIG. 1. Examples of additional components include, but are notlimited to, a label sensor to sense and position the labels 102 relativeto the RFID programming system 130, an item sensor to sense and positionthe items 104 relative to the tamp assembly 150, and an integratedprinter to print indicia on the labels 102. One example of a labelsensor includes a retroreflective that shines a light from beneath theweb to a light sensor 110 positioned above the web 110.

The web feeding mechanism 120 may include at least one tensioning roller122 and at least one idler roller 124, which guide the web 110 with theRFID labels 102 to the peeler member 140. The web feeding mechanism 120may also include a drive and nip roller assembly 126 that takes up thescrap web 110 a and feeds the scrap web 110 a to the web rewind roll114. The drive and nip roller assembly 126 may be driven to pull thescrap web 110 a, thereby causing the web 110 with the RFID labels 102 topass around the peeler member 140. The unwind roll 112 and/or rewindroll 114 may also be driven (e.g., with servomotors) to facilitateunwinding of the web 110 and/or rewinding the scrap web 110 a.

The RFID programming system 130 may include a RFID reader/programmercoupled to one or more RFID programming antennas. The RFID programmingsystem 130 may include any RFID reader/programmer known to those ofordinary skill in the art for reading and/or programming RFID devices,such as the type known as the Sensormatic® SensorID™ Agile 2 Readeravailable from Tyco Fire and Security. The RFID programming system 130may also be capable of detecting defective RFID labels, for example, byattempting to read a RFID label after applying programming signals.

The peeler member 140 may include a peel tip 142 having a radius andforming an angle such that a RFID label 102 peels away from the web 110as the web 110 passes around the peel tip 142. In one embodiment, theradius of the peel tip 142 may be in a range of about 0.003 in. and theangle formed by the peel tip 142 may be in a range of about 90° or less.Other radii and angles may be used and may depend upon the adhesionproperties (e.g., the adhesion strength) of the RFID labels 102 on theweb 110. The peeler member 140 may be made of a rigid material such asaluminum. In one embodiment, the peeler member 140 may be in the form ofa plate or a bar, although those skilled in the art will recognize othershapes and configurations.

The label tamp assembly 150 may include a tamp pad 152 coupled to a tampdriving mechanism 154. The tamp pad 152 contacts the non-adhering sideof a RFID label 102 a that has been removed from the web 110 and holdsthe RFID label 102 a. The tamp driving mechanism 154 drives the tamp pad152 and the RFD label 102 a toward the item 104 to which the RFID label102 a is to be applied. One embodiment of the tamp assembly 150 uses avacuum pressure to retain the RFD label 102 a in contact with the tamppad 152. The vacuum pressure may be released and/or air may be blownfrom the tamp pad 152 to facilitate application of the RFID label 102 a.Although the exemplary embodiment shows one embodiment of a label tampassembly 150, the label tamp assembly 150 may include any structure ormechanism for moving a label into contact with an item 104.

The label reject assembly 160 may include an accumulation pad 162coupled to a label reject driving mechanism 164. Upon determining that aRFID label 102 is to be rejected, the reject driving mechanism 164drives the accumulation pad 162 into the path of the tamp pad 152. Thetamp pad 152 then applies the rejected RFD label to the accumulation pad162 instead of the item 104. A RFID label may be rejected when the labelis determined to be defective or for other reasons. Although theexemplary embodiment shows one embodiment of the label reject assembly160, the label reject assembly 160 may include any structure forintercepting or otherwise preventing a RFID label from being applied toan item 104.

The tamp driving mechanism 154 and the label reject driving mechanism164 may include pneumatic actuated air cylinders, such as the typeavailable from PHD, Inc. When air cylinders are used as the drivingmechanisms, the RFID label applicator 100 may also include one or moreair pressure gauges 168 to monitor and/or adjust operation of the aircylinders, as is known to those skilled in the art. Although theexemplary embodiment uses air cylinders and rods, those skilled in theart will recognize that other linear actuators or driving mechanisms maybe used.

The applicator controller 170 may be a programmable logic controller(PLC), such as the type available from Allen-Bradley, Omron orMitsubishi, or a general purpose computer, such as a PC, programmed tocontrol one or more operations of the applicator 100. The controller 170may be coupled to the web feeding mechanism 120 (e.g., to the motors,sensors, etc.) to control the feeding of the web 110 around the peelermember 140 and/or to control the positioning of the RFID labels 102relative to the RFID programming system 130. The controller 170 may alsobe coupled to the tamp assembly 150 to control application (or tamping)of programmed and removed RFID labels to the items 104. The controller170 may also be coupled to the label reject assembly 160 to control therejection of labels, for example, when the label is determined to bedefective. The controller 170 may also be coupled to a userinterface/control panel 172 to enable a user to monitor the applicationprocess and/or to provide commands and/or operating parameters to thecontroller 170.

The controller 170 and/or user interface 172 may also be coupled to theRFID programming system 130 to control the RFID programming operations.RFD programming operations may be controlled, for example, by allocatingElectronic Product Codes (EPC's) and/or other data to be sent to theRFID labels 102 upon receiving an indication that the RFID labels 102are properly positioned relative to the RFID programming system 130. Thecontroller 170 may also monitor the detection of defective labels tocontrol the label reject assembly 160. The controller 170 may furthercollect programming data and statistics and provide such data to theuser.

According to one method of operation, the web 110 may be advanced aroundthe peeler member 140, for example, by using the drive and nip rollerassembly 126 to pull the web 110. As the web 110 is advanced, the unwindroll 112 unwinds the web 110 supporting the RFID labels 102 and therewind roll 114 rewinds the scrap web 110 a after the RFID labels 102have been applied or rejected. When each RFID label 102 on the web 110is positioned within a programming range of the REID programming system130, the RFID programming system 130 may program the RFID label 102 bytransmitting radio frequency (RF) programming signals to the RFID label102 and attempting to read the RFID label 102. The RFID label 102 maythen be advanced around the peel tip 142 of the peeler member 140 toremove the RFID label 102. A removed RFID label 102 a may then beapplied to an item 104 using the tamp assembly 150 or may be rejectedusing the label reject assembly 160. These operations may be repeatedfor each of the RFID labels 102 on the web 10 and the items 104 may beadvanced such that programmed RFID labels 102 are applied to each of theitems 104.

One embodiment of a RFID label 102 is shown in greater detail in FIG. 2.The RFID label 102 may include an integrated circuit (IC) chip 202coupled to an antenna 204. The IC chip 202 and antenna 204 may besandwiched between one or more layers or substrates, such as an adhesivesubstrate 206 and a printable layer 208. The adhesive substrate 206 mayinclude a scrim coated on each side with an adhesive, such as an acrylicbased adhesive. The printable layer 208 may be made of a thermaltransfer paper or other material suitable for printing. One or moreadditional layers or substrates may also be incorporated into the RFIDlabel 102, as is known to those skilled in the art. The web 110 may bemade of a paper with a release agent such as wax or silicone to allowthe RFID label 102 to peel away from the web 110. The RFID label 102 mayhave a peel adhesion strength (e.g., about 15 N/inch) that allows theRFID) label 102 to be removably adhered to the web 110 and later adheredto the items 104. Although RFID labels may have various sizes, oneexample of the RFID label 102 may be about 3 in. by 3 in. and supportedon a web 110 having a width of about 4 in.

One example of a RFID label 102 is the “Combo EAS/RFID Label or Tag”disclosed in U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/628,303,which is fully incorporated herein by reference. Other examples includethe RFID labels commercially available under the name Sensormatic® fromTyco Fire and Security. Those skilled in the art will recognize that theRFID label 102 may include any RFID device capable of being adhered orotherwise secured to articles or items.

Referring to FIG. 3, one embodiment of an RFD applicator roller 300consistent with the invention is shown in greater detail. As shown, theroller 300 generally includes a body 301 having an exterior surfacedefined by first 302 and second 304 end portions separated by at leastone relief portion 306 and an interior surface 312 defining an opening314 extending axially through the body 301. The opening 314 may bedimensioned for receiving an axle (not shown) for rotatingly supportingthe body 301 as a web of RFID labels passes by the roller in contactwith a top or bottom thereof.

In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the end portions 302, 304 aregenerally cylindrical having a first diameter D1. The relief portion 306is also generally cylindrical having a diameter D2, which is less thanD1. The end portions 302, 304 and the relief portion 306 may beseparated by associated beveled transition surfaces 308, 310. Due to thedifference in diameter between the end portions 302, 304 and the reliefportion 306, the cross-sectional area of each of the end portions 302,304 is greater than the cross-sectional area of the relief portion 306.It is to be understood that although the end portions 302, 306 andrelief portions 306 are cylindrical in the illustrated exemplaryembodiment, the end and/or relief portions may have a non-cylindricalconfiguration with the cross-sectional area of the end portions beinggreater than the cross-sectional area of the relief portion.

The dimensional difference between the end portions 302, 304 and therelief portion 306 establishes a relief area 328 between the endportions 302, 304. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the relief area 328 of theroller may be positioned to align with the IC 202 of an RFID label 102in an applicator system to protect the IC chip 202 from stresses as itpasses by the roller 300. In an embodiment where the web passes underthe roller, as shown in FIG. 3, opposite ends of the RFID label 102 maycontact the first 302 and second 304 end portions while the IC 202 isdisposed in or below the relief area 328. In an application where theweb passes over the roller (not shown) the web 110 may contact the first302 and second 304 end portions with the IC aligned with and disposedabove the relief area 328. In either embodiment, the relief area 328reduces stress on the IC as the web 110 is directed by the roller 300 tothe articles to which the label 102 is to be applied.

In one embodiment, the relief area 328 may have a depth, measured fromthe exterior surface of the end portions 302, 304 to the exteriorsurface of the relief portion 306, of about 0.030″ and a width, measuredfrom the intersection of the transition surface 308 with the reliefportion 306 to the intersection of the transition surface 310 with therelief portion 306, of about 0.5″. Of course, the dimensions of therelief area 328 may be modified as desired to accommodate the dimensionsof the RFID label 102 and to ensure that destructive stresses applied tothe IC 202 of the label are minimized.

In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, first 316 and second 318 webguides are disposed about the first 302 and second 304 end portions,respectively, for centering the web so that the label ICs remain alignedwith the relief area 328 as they pass by the roller. In one exemplaryembodiment, each of the web guides 316, 318 may include a centralopening through which its associated end portion 302, 304, respectively,may pass. The body 301 may be rotatably supported on an axle forrotation relative to the web guides 316, 318, or the web guides 316, 318may be coupled to the end portions 302, 304, respectively, for rotationtherewith.

A spring 320,322 may be disposed between each of the web guides 316,318, respectively, and a fixed structure 324, 326. The springs 320,322may be configured to urge the web guides 316, 318 inward along the endportions 302, 304 toward the relief portion 306 and against the edges ofthe web, e.g. web 110. Different web widths may be accommodated bysimply forcing the web guides 316, 318 apart, against the bias of thesprings 320,322, to receive the width of the web. Once a desired widthis established, the web guides 316, 318 may be locked into positionrelative to the body 301 using any known releasable or removable lockingmechanism, such as a set screw, spring biased detent, etc.

Alternatively, the web guides 316, 318 may be adjustably positionablealong the lengths of the end portions 302, 304 to accommodate webs ofdifferent widths using the same roller. Once the web guides 316, 318 aremoved to desired positions, a releasable or removable locking mechanismmay be applied to lock them into position relative to the body. Althoughthe web guides are described herein as being disposed circumferentiallyaround the end portion, it is to be understood that the web guides 316,318 may extend around only a portion of the circumference of the endportions 302, 304. Also, the web guides 316, 318 may take any geometricshape and need only extend radially beyond the exterior surface of theend portions 302, 304 for guiding the web and aligning the IC with therelief area 328.

A roller 300 consistent with the invention may be used at any locationin an RFID applicator system where it is useful or necessary to pas aweb carrying RFID labels over a roller, e.g. as a tensioning roller 122or idler roller 124. In one embodiment the roller may have a diameter D1of about 3.0″ at the end portions 302, 304 and a diameter D2 of about2.97″ at the relief portion 306. The roller may be constructed from anymaterial of sufficient strength and rigidity to withstand stressesassociated with guiding a web of RFID labels in a RFID label applicator,including materials such as, aluminum, steel, etc.

The roller body 301 including the end portions 302, 304 and the reliefportion 306 may be constructed as a unitary member by machining from asingle piece of material, and the web guides 316, 318 may be separatelyadded. Alternatively, the roller may be constructed from multipleseparate parts. Turning to FIG. 5, for example, there is illustratedanother embodiment 500 consistent with the invention. The roller 500includes first 302 a and second 304 a separate end pieces includingopenings 502, 504, respectively, at the ends thereof for receiving aseparate relief portion 306 a. One end of the relief portion 306 a maybe inserted into one of the openings 502, 504, and the other end of therelief portion 306 a may be inserted into the other of the openings 502,504. The ends of the relief portion 306 a may be secured within theopenings 502, 504 using any known releasable or removable lockingmechanism, such as a set screw inserted through threaded openings 506,508, a spring biased detent, etc. The width of the relief area may beadjusted in such a configuration by selection of the depth of insertionof the relief portion 306 a into openings 502, 504. This allows theroller to be configured for operation with RFID label configurations ofdifferent dimensions and/or orientations.

There is thus provided, according to one aspect of the invention, aradio frequency identification (RFID) label applicator including a webfeeding mechanism for supplying a web of material carrying a pluralityof RFID labels toward items to which the RFID labels are to be applied.The web feeding mechanism includes at least one roller for directing theweb of material toward the items. The roller includes a body havingfirst and second end portions and a relief portion disposed between thefirst and second end portions. The relief portion has a smallercross-sectional area than each of the end portions to define a reliefarea between the first and second end portions. The relief area ispositioned for alignment with an integrated circuit (IC) associated witheach of the RFID labels.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a methodof guiding a web of material carrying a plurality of RFID labels in anRFID label applicator for applying the RFID) labels to associated items.The method includes directing the web of material toward the associateditems using at least one roller. The roller includes a relief areaaligned with an integrated circuit (IC) associated with each of the RFIDlabels as the RFID labels pass by the roller.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a rollerfor directing a web of material carrying a plurality of RFID labelstoward items to which the RFID labels are to be applied. The rollerincludes a body having first and second end portions and a reliefportion disposed between the first and second end portions. The reliefportion has a smaller cross-sectional area than each of the end portionsto define a relief area between the first and second end portions foralignment with an integrated circuit (IC) associated with each of theRFID labels.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize other multiple piececonfigurations that will allow adjustment of the width of the reliefarea. For example, a combined end portion and relief portion may beformed as a single unit and the opposite end portion may have an openingfor receiving the relief portion to a selected depth of insertion. Inaddition, a separate relief portion may be provided with endsdimensioned to be received within associated ends of the end portions,and with middle section dimensioned to achieve a desired depth or shapeof the relief area.

While the principles of the invention have been described herein, it isto be understood by those skilled in the art that this description ismade only by way of example and not as a limitation as to the scope ofthe invention. Other embodiments are contemplated within the scope ofthe invention in addition to the exemplary embodiments shown anddescribed herein. Modifications and substitutions by one of ordinaryskill in the art are considered to be within the scope of the invention,which is not to be limited except by the following claims.

1. A radio frequency identification (RFID) label applicator comprising:a web feeding mechanism for supplying a web of material carrying aplurality of RFID labels toward items to which said RFID labels are tobe applied, said web feeding mechanism comprising at least one rollerfor directing said web of material toward said items, said at least oneroller comprising a body comprising first and second end portions and arelief portion disposed between said first and second end portions, saidrelief portion having a smaller cross-sectional area than each of saidend portions to define a relief area between said first and second endportions, said relief area being positioned for alignment with anintegrated circuit (IC) associated with each of said REID labels.
 2. ARFID label applicator according to claim 1 wherein said roller furthercomprises first and second web guides disposed at least partially aboutsaid first and second end portions, respectively, for engaging said webof material to align said ICs with said relief area.
 3. A RFID labelapplicator according to claim 2 wherein roller comprises a first springfor urging said first web guide toward said relief portion and a secondspring for urging said second web guide toward said relief portion.
 4. ARFID label applicator according to claim 1 wherein said first and secondend portions and said relief portion have a generally cylindrical shape.5. A RFD label applicator according to claim 1 wherein said bodycomprises a unitary member including said first and second end portionsand said relief portion.
 6. A RFID label applicator according to claim 1wherein at least one of said end portions is positionable relative tosaid relief portion for allowing adjustment of a width of said reliefarea.
 7. A RFID label applicator according to claim 1 wherein at leastone of said end portions is configured for receiving an end of saidrelief portion at a selectable depth of insertion for allowingadjustment of a width of said relief area.
 8. A RFID label applicatoraccording to claim 1 wherein each of said end portions is configured forreceiving an associated end of said relief portion at a selectable depthof insertion for allowing adjustment of a width of said relief area. 9.A RFID label applicator according to claim 1 wherein said body furthercomprises a first beveled transition surface between said first endportion and said relief portion and a second beveled transition surfacebetween said second end portion and said relief portion.
 10. A method ofguiding a web of material carrying a plurality of RFID labels in an RFIDlabel applicator for applying the RFD labels to associated items, saidmethod comprising: directing said web of material toward said associateditems using at least one roller, said at least one roller comprising arelief area, said relief area being aligned with an integrated circuit(IC) associated with each of said RFID labels as said RFID labels passby said roller.
 11. A method according to claim 10 wherein said rollercomprises first and second end portions and a relief portion disposedbetween said first and second end portions, said relief portion having asmaller cross-sectional area than each of said end portions to definesaid relief area between said first and second end portions.
 12. Amethod according to claim 11 wherein said roller further comprises firstand second web guides disposed at least partially about said first andsecond end portions, respectively, for engaging said web of material toalign said ICs with said relief area.
 13. A method according to claim 12wherein roller comprises a first spring for urging said first web guidetoward said relief portion and a second spring for urging said secondweb guide toward said relief portion.
 14. A method according to claim 11wherein said first and second end portions and said relief portion havea generally cylindrical shape.
 15. A method according to claim 11wherein said body comprises a unitary member including said first andsecond end portions and said relief portion.
 16. A method according toclaim 11 wherein at least one of said end portions is positionablerelative to said relief portion for allowing adjustment of a width ofsaid relief area.
 17. A method according to claim 11 wherein at leastone of said end portions is configured for receiving an end of saidrelief portion at a selectable depth of insertion for allowingadjustment of a width of said relief area.
 18. A method according toclaim 11 wherein each of said end portions is configured for receivingan associated end of said relief portion at a selectable depth ofinsertion for allowing adjustment of a width of said relief area.
 19. Amethod according to claim 11 wherein said body further comprises a firstbeveled transition surface between said first end portion and saidrelief portion and a second beveled transition surface between saidsecond end portion and said relief portion.
 20. A roller for directing aweb of material carrying a plurality of RFID labels toward items towhich said RFID labels are to be applied, said roller comprising: a bodyhaving first and second end portions and a relief portion disposedbetween said first and second end portions, said relief portion having asmaller cross-sectional area than each of said end portions to define arelief area between said first and second end portions for alignmentwith an integrated circuit (IC) associated with each of said RFIDlabels.